What's Open and Closed This Canada Day in Montreal

Canada Day is a public holiday across the country, celebrated July 1. Some businesses and offices close for the occasion, though not as many as during Quebec's Fête Nationale, the national holiday for French-speaking countries.

When Canada Day falls on a weekend day, then those same businesses and offices generally close on either the Friday prior (if it falls on a Saturday) or Monday after (if it falls on a Sunday).

The open and closed list below sums up what to expect on Canada Day in Montreal, but it isn't exhaustive enough to cover every mom and pop shop, restaurant and retail store, and government branch in town. If in doubt, call the business or agency directly for information. For those of you ready to celebrate, here's a list of Canada Day events and activities in Montreal.

Closed on Canada Day

While there are many places that visitors may go on Canada, the following are usually closed:

• Banks
• Most city of Montreal offices
• Municipal court
• Most provincial and federal offices
• Many private sector offices
• Shopping malls
• Postal service delivery and Canada Post post offices, with the exception of postal service offices operating in the private sector (often found in the back of pharmacies), which can remain open at their discretion
• Retail stores with the exception of bookstores, flower stores, and antique shops, which can remain open if they wish

Note that because Canada Day in 2019 falls on a Monday, these businesses and offices, as a general rule will be closed that day.

Open on Canada Day

Many places are open on Canada Day including:

• The city of Montreal's information hotline, 311
• Some dépanneurs (corner stores)
• Stores and food outlets located in hospitals, train stations, airports, cultural centers, sports centers, and tourism destinations
• Some pharmacies, especially large chains, but hours and staff count may be reduced
• Grocery stores/supermarkets smaller than 4,036 square feet (375 square meters) can open at their leisure, but hours and staff count may be reduced.
• Bookstores, flower stores, and antique shops can remain open if they desire.
• Old Montreal's Bonsecours Market
• Pointe-à Callière Archaeology & History Museum
• Montreal's beaches
• Parc Jean-Drapeau's attractions
• Montreal Biodome
• Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
• Montreal Botanical Gardens
• Montreal Insectarium
• Montreal Science Centre
• Montreal Planetarium
• Public markets/farmers markets
• All SAQ liquor stores remain open except for those located inside shopping malls that don't have doors that open directly onto the parking lot or through a movie theatre. In other words, if you have to walk through a mall hallway to get to a given SAQ, then it's closed.
• Cinemas
• Montreal Casino (It's always open.)
• Montreal observatory Au Sommet PVM
• Service-based businesses such as hair salons, restaurants, gas stations, and manufacturers are free to remain open at their discretion.
• Some arenas, swimming pools, gyms, and sports centers remain open and others don't, depending on the neighborhood. Call 311 for details.
• Parking meters are always in operation (no freebies).
• Garbage pickups and recycling generally stay on schedule with occasional exceptions; call 311 to double-check.